Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BUJUMBURA201
2007-03-21 15:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bujumbura
Cable title:  

DAS SWAN VISIT TO BURUNDI: TACKLING OBSTACLES TO

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL BY 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHJB #0201/01 0801551
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 211551Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0144
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000201 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017/03/15
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BY
SUBJECT: DAS SWAN VISIT TO BURUNDI: TACKLING OBSTACLES TO
PROGRESS

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000201

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017/03/15
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BY
SUBJECT: DAS SWAN VISIT TO BURUNDI: TACKLING OBSTACLES TO
PROGRESS

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (SBU) Summary: In a meeting with Deputy Assistant
Secretary(DAS) for African Affairs, James Swan,

SIPDIS
Burundian President Nkurunziza expressed appreciation for the
continued support of the American people and emphasized
Burundi,s commitment to political and economic stability.
During a visit to Burundi March 11-13, DAS Swan acknowledged
Burundi,s actions to reinforce the authority of
democratically elected leaders, promote good governance, and
move toward judicial independence and transparency. In
response, the GOB outlined certain developments that threaten
Burundi,s recent progress, including the progress of the
reintegration of the rebel PALIPEHUTU-FNL through the Joint
Verification and Monitoring mechanism (JVMM); possible human
rights violations in the eastern province of Muyinga; and
deposed CNDD-FDD party president Hussein Radjabu's purported
attempt to disrupt the legislative processes by forming a new
parliamentary group. While recognizing these events as
possible impediments to progress, Burundi,s leaders
emphasized their ability to learn from their mistakes and to
work to overcome setbacks. The GOB highlighted its concern
for poverty and emphasized the need for Burundi to transition
from conflict resolution to economic development. End
Summary.


2. (U) This cable is the first in a series of three
discussing DAS Swan,s visit to Burundi. A second cable will
highlight DAS Swan,s discussions concerning the
PALIPEHUTU-FNL,s threats to suspend their participation in
the JVMM process. The last in the series will focus on DAS
Swan,s discussion with the Ministry of Defense on the
subject of Burundi,s contribution to the Somali peacekeeping
effort.



3. (C) During a visit to Burundi March 11 - 13, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for African Affairs James Swan delivered
a message of congratulations from the United States to key
government officials and influential members of civil
society. In response, the GOB expressed its appreciation for
recognition and support as a signal of the excellent

relations between the United States and Burundi.


4. (C) President Pierre Nkurunziza conveyed his gratitude for
U.S. interest in Burundi, as exemplified by the recent visits
of DAS Swan and General William Ward. President Nkurunziza
opined that Burundi's progress in conflict resolution can be
credited to friendly nations such as the U.S.; he hoped for a
continued partnership in the future. The President
acknowledged recent political events which threaten to blunt
Burundi's achievements and recognized Burundi's need to
transition from democratic stabilization to social and
economic growth to counter future setbacks.


5. (C) The Second Vice President, Gabriel Ntisezerana, noted
that recent events have not supported the progress made by
the Burundian people. However, he emphasized that what is
important is the ability to learn from one,s mistakes and to
overcome setbacks. Burundi,s Minister of Planning,
Development and National Reconstruction, Mr. Abdallah Tabu
Manirakiza, stressed Burundi,s reliance on the United States
to help stabilize the peace process, advance development, and
establish a culture of good governance.


6. (U) DAS Swan acknowledged the success of Burundi,s peace
process, conflict resolution and reconciliation as a victory
for the country and an example for Africa. He commended
Burundi,s actions to reinforce the authority of
democratically elected leaders, promote good governance, and
applauded strides toward judicial independence and support
for transparency.

--------------
Economic Concerns
--------------


7. (C) While recognizing the progress made in the areas of
conflict resolution and good governance, the GOB also
highlighted its concern for the population,s continued
poverty and suffering. Manirakiza warned that Burundi could
lose all the gains it has made if it is unable effectively to
fight poverty. The Second Vice President, Ntisezerana, made
a strong request for U.S. support for the upcoming Donor,s
Conference to be held in May. He noted that Burundi could
experience dangerous setbacks unless it receives continued
support from the international community. He recognized the

importance of drafting and presenting strategic documents at
the conference that will be acceptable to the donor
community. In closing, Ntisezerana emphasized the need for
Burundi to transition from conflict resolution to economic
development.

-------------- --------------
Possible Human Rights Abuses and Political Infighting
-------------- --------------


8. (C) DAS Swan also sought clarity on recent events that
threaten to blemish Burundi,s progress, including reported
human rights violations in the eastern province of Muyinga
and an attempt by deposed CNDD-FDD party president, Hussein
Radjabu, to disrupt legislative processes by forming a new
parliamentary group.


9. (C) In response to DAS Swan,s concern for reported human
rights abuses, the Minister of Good Governance, State General
Inspectorate and Local Administration, Mr. Vnant
Kamana, confessed that "many things went wrong last year";
although many people were questionably imprisoned, the
presiding judges handled the situations properly. In
reference to reports of questionable arrests and killings in
the northeast region of Muyinga, Kamana stated that
Burundi,s Ministry of Justice is forming a panel charged
with conducting an inquiry into possible human rights abuses,
including the extra-judicial arrests and murders of
individuals thought to be in opposition to the ruling party
and government. In closing, he predicted that 2007 would be
a year of change and improvement in judicial procedures and
transparency. During his visit, DAS Swan also met with
representatives of human rights groups and other civil
society organizations. They acknowledged progress in the
government's human rights record, but stressed the need for
continued follow-up to ensure that those responsible for
abuses (e.g., in Muyinga) are brought to justice.


10. (C) Many government officials commented on deposed
CNDD-FDD ruling party president Hussein Radjabu,s possible
attempt to organize a new parliamentary group within the
National Assembly. The new "bloc" could be used as a tool
for opposition to future legislative procedures, notably any
additional initiatives to curb Radjabu,s influence over
CNDD-FDD party politics and executive decisions. First Vice
President, Dr. Martin Nduwimana, conceded that Radjabu,s
strategy could be an impediment to stability; however, he
views the ploy as primarily a CNDD-FDD party issue.
Nduwimana, a member of the opposition UPRONA party, noted
that, with time, "everyone will realize that the (CNDD-FDD)
party is not the tool of one individual". In summarizing his
views on the possibility of Radjabu,s parliamentary group,
Minister of Good Governance Kamana commented that Burundi,s
stability is still fragile; he stressed the need for the
continued support and advice &from friends such as the
United States8.


11. (SBU) Comment: While noting the need for continued
improvement in areas of human rights and transparency, DAS
Swan used this visit to congratulate the GOB for the overall
success of the peace process since 2005 and for the important
progress made in recent months in reversing what had been a
worrisome downward trend through most of 2006. End Comment.
MOLLER